Turn off your computer, other office equipment, and lights when not in use and at the end of the day.

Use Energy Star qualified office products.

Earning the Energy Star means the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. These products will help you reduce your energy-use and save money on your utility bills.

Earn your building an Energy Star label and/or a LEED certification.

Did you know that a building or manufacturing plant can earn Energy Star certification just like a refrigerator? An Energy Star certified facility meets strict energy performance standards set by EPA and uses less energy, is less expensive to operate, and causes fewer greenhouse gas emissions than its peers.

Similarly, the LEED green building rating system is designed to promote design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being.

Offer your employees commuter benefits.

Commuter benefit programs are employer-provided benefits that allow employees to reduce their monthly commuting expenses for transit, biking, vanpooling, and parking. By using commuter benefits, employees save up to 40% on these expenses by reducing their taxable income. For businesses, savings come as a result of reducing payroll taxes, which could translate into a savings of up to 9% on payroll taxes for each employee. By providing a commuter benefit solution to their company, employers help provide employees with a happy and healthy work environment, as well as doing their part in saving our environment by relieving traffic congestion and improving air quality. Learn more about commuter benefits from BART and 511.

Join the Green Power Partnership.

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to use green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,400 Partner organizations voluntarily using billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500® companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities.

Develop a greenhouse gas emissions inventory.

This inventory can help you hone in on the areas of energy use in which you can focus on to reduce costs.

Waste

Recycle.

Recycling will decrease the amount of energy used and the amount of waste ending up in landfills. The new Livermore Recycles program is a user-friendly resource developed through a partnership between the City of Livermore and Livermore Sanitation for residents and businesses to learn about Livermore's cutting edge waste reduction programs such as city-wide recycling and composting. Learn more about how to start a recycling program at your business with the help of WasteWise.

Reduce your paper waste.

Paper and packaging make up almost one-third of the municipal solid waste in a landfill. To reduce your paper waste, avoid printing and printed materials, print double sided, print multiple pages per sheet and use electronic billing and invoicing.

Purchase environmentally-preferable products.

By choosing environmentally-preferable products, you can save money, reduce environmental impacts, and create a healthier work environment. The EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program can help you identify green products and services.

The Alameda County Water District provides free water use efficiency surveys to businesses. A water conservation specialist will evaluate indoor and outdoor water usage, provide recommendations for improving water use efficiency, and provide information about rebates and incentives your business qualifies for. Businesses that participate in this program are eligible to receive free water conserving devices, including faucet aerators, showerheads, and toilet flappers.

Buy products with the WaterSense label.

Products with the WaterSense label are water-efficient, high-performing, and help save money.

Use Bay-Friendly landscaping.

Bay-Friendly landscaping is an approach that conserves water, reduces waste and pollution, and provides many other benefits for property owners, communities and the environment.

Visit Livermore's Water Resources website.

Livermore's Water Resources department provides water conservation resources and tips for commercial and industrial businesses.